EP2162611A1

EP2162611A1 - Starting time memory for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP2162611A1
Application number: EP08758596A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Volker Dietz
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Current assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Priority date: 2007-06-02
Filing date: 2008-05-16
Publication date: 2010-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-16
Also published as: EP2162611B1; DE102007025925B4; DE102007025925A1; WO2008148459A1; US20100049427A1; US7844391B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a control unit for controlling a starting action of a automotive drive gear in a motor vehicle, the control unit transmitting a starting signal for carrying out corresponding starting measures for starting the automotive drive gear in response to a starting request. The control unit determines a duration from the start of the starting action to the completion of a successful starting action and transmits a duration-dependent memory signal to the memory unit which in turn creates a duration-dependent memory entry.

Description

Start time memory for motor vehicles

The invention relates to a control unit for controlling a switch-on of a vehicle engine in a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

The generally designed as an internal combustion engine vehicle engine is turned on in principle by the driver of the vehicle. For this purpose, a key provided for this purpose is plugged into a corresponding lock and this is rotated to start the internal combustion engine or actuated an existing push button to activate the internal combustion engine. Then appropriate measures for starting the internal combustion engine are initiated. Such starting of the internal combustion engine is referred to as normal start or key start.

In order to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions, methods and systems are currently being developed and in some cases already in use which use the electric motor or the hybrid engine or the internal combustion engine, that is to say the engine of a motor vehicle, under certain conditions. automatically switch off the system in the event of defined shutdown conditions and automatically switch it on again in the presence of defined switch-on conditions. Such methods and systems are particularly suitable for urban transport to reduce fuel consumption and also to reduce emissions, and especially to reduce CCVEmissionen, since in city traffic, the vehicle often stops at traffic lights or traffic and the operation of the Internal combustion engine is not required. Such starting of the internal combustion engine is referred to as automatic start. Likewise, such shutdown is referred to as automatic stop.

Methods and control units for automatically switching off or switching on a drive unit or a vehicle engine can be used in various vehicle functions. For example, in the context of a so-called "automatic start stop function", the vehicle engine is switched off and off again depending on predetermined conditions and in certain traffic situations, eg at traffic lights or in so-called stop-and-go traffic Similarly, in vehicles that are equipped with a hybrid drive unit consisting of an internal combustion engine (ie, an internal combustion engine with burns that run on a gasoline, diesel or similar thermodynamic processes) and an electric motor, this engine is partially switched off and switched on again Save fuel and reduce emissions.

One possibility for the development of such methods and systems is the automatic switch-off and switch-on control device known from DE 101 61 343 A1 for an internal combustion engine. In this case, the control device takes appropriate measures for switching off the internal combustion engine, if all mentioned shutdown conditions are met. If specified switch-on conditions are fulfilled, the tax Appropriate measures for automatically switching on the internal combustion engine before.

Under certain circumstances, in vehicles equipped with an automatic switch-off and switch-on device, due to an active switch-off prevention condition (eg the charge state of the battery is below a predetermined limit), no automatic switch-off of the internal combustion engine is performed for the driver is incomprehensible. Analogously, it may also happen that due to an active switch-off prevention condition (eg, is the level of the vehicle tank below a predetermined threshold) no automatic power on, but this is also not comprehensible to the driver. In order to get to the bottom of such "errors", a control unit for controlling an automatic switch-off and / or switch-on operation of a vehicle engine is proposed in unpublished DE 102007009836, wherein the control unit stores a memory signal for storing at least one memory entry associated with a switch-off prevention condition Memory unit emits when all shutdown request conditions are met, but at least one shut-off prevention condition is active and the vehicle engine is therefore not turned off.Using the memory entry, which can be read by means of a read-out, may be determined, which cause for In the same way, memory entries can be made even if an automatically requested automatic start is not carried out.

As soon as a start of the internal combustion engine is requested in a vehicle, either manually by the driver or automatically on the basis of predetermined switch-on conditions (without a switch-on prevention condition being met), appropriate measures for switching on the engine are made Internal combustion engine made. These measures can be configured differently depending on the type of Einschaltaufforderung.

Under certain circumstances, it may happen that the start of the internal combustion engine from the beginning of the switch-on, for example. From the beginning of a set by the driver start trigger, to achieve a successful start takes longer than expected by the driver. This could lead to customer irritation or even customer complaints.

The object of the invention is thus to make such customer complaints at least for the workshop staff comprehensible.

This object is achieved by a control unit according to claim 1 and a read-out device according to claim 22. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims.

The basic idea is thus to make the aforementioned period measurable and assessable for the workshop personnel by providing a memory unit in which information is stored which provides information about why and why the starting process of the internal combustion engine has not taken place within the conventional time period ,

With regard to the control of a switch-on operation of a vehicle engine, in particular an internal combustion engine, the control unit according to the invention is characterized in that the control unit determines the duration of the starting process, ie from the start of the startup process until the successful start end has been reached, and depending on the determined time duration Duration-dependent memory signal, which may be the duration itself, sends to an existing memory unit, which makes a corresponding time-duration-dependent memory entry on it. The storage unit can be part of an already existing storage whose memory entries can be read out with corresponding readout devices in workshops.

As already mentioned, the switch-on can be activated by manual operation of a corresponding control element, or automatically, for example. In the context of a so-called. Automatic start-stop system. As soon as the switch-on request for starting or for switching on the drive unit is present or this is determined on the basis of a corresponding algorithm within the control unit, it transmits a switch-on signal, which can consist of one or more signals, to corresponding actuators. At the same time, with the presence of the switch-on request, a timer is started which determines the duration of the start-up process, ie. H. the timer is stopped as soon as a predetermined, uniform (idle) speed of the drive unit is reached. Depending on the determined time duration, a time duration-dependent memory signal is sent to the memory unit, which is a measure of the time duration. The memory unit then takes a time-dependent memory entry, which in turn gives information about the time required for the switch-on. Ideally, the determined time duration of at least the last switch-on process is stored in a storage unit in the memory unit. However, it is also possible to enter a predefined number of last-determined memory-duration-dependent memory entries which can be continuously overwritten.

Since for the driver or for the person reading out the memory, only entries that are entered due to a too long switch-on process are interesting, the time-duration-dependent memory signal can, for example, only be transmitted or a time-duration-dependent memory entry only in an advantageous embodiment of the invention be made when the determined time exceeds a predetermined first time limit. This first time duration limit should be chosen so that it corresponds approximately to the duration of a successful (fast) switch-on.

The storage unit may be equipped with one or more counting units in addition to or as an alternative to the time-duration storage unit, in which a measure for the duration of at least one switch-on operation is stored. In each counting unit, the number of switch-on operations with a certain period of time can be stored, i. H. Each counting unit is assigned to a specific time window within which the determined duration of the switching-on process can lie. Thus, for example, the number of switch-on with normal duration, with a longer duration and with extremely long time can be stored. For this purpose, the memory unit according to the invention is equipped in an advantageous embodiment such that it increases the value of an existing first counting unit by one on the time-duration-dependent memory signal if the determined time duration or the time-duration-dependent memory signal indicates that the determined time duration is not greater than a predetermined first Time duration limit is. Analogously to above, this first time duration limit value can be preset or selected such that it approximately corresponds to the duration of a successful (fast) switch-on process.

In accordance with the first counting unit, the memory unit may be equipped with a second counting unit whose value is increased by one if the determined time duration is greater than the predetermined first duration limit value and not greater than a predetermined second duration limit value. The second time limit should be greater than the first time limit by a certain period of time.

According to the first and second counting unit, the memory unit can additionally or alternatively be equipped with a third counting unit, which sen value is increased by one, if the determined duration of the switch-on is greater than the predetermined second time duration limit.

If the vehicle is equipped in such a way that the switch-on request can be generated by various measures and / or if the switch-on process can be carried out by different measures, it makes sense to additionally make an entry in the memory unit which indicates which type before start - eg , B. normal start or automatic start - was made at the determined period.

Thus, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit additionally send a type-dependent memory signal to the memory unit and the memory unit make a type-dependent memory entry. Advantageously, analogously to the different counting units, more than one type of storage area may be provided. In this case, the species memory field in which the current value of the species-dependent memory entry is to be entered is again specified by the determined time duration. Advantageously, the species-dependent memory entry is entered in a predetermined first type memory field if the determined time duration is not greater than a predetermined first time duration limit value. If the determined time duration is greater than the predetermined first time duration limit value and not greater than a predetermined second time duration limit value, the type-dependent memory entry is entered in a predefined second type memory field. If the determined time duration is greater than the predetermined second time duration limit value, the species-dependent memory entry is entered in a predetermined third type memory field. The species memory fields can be constructed such that they can store a predetermined number of preceding species-dependent memory entries. In addition to the determined time duration, the count entries and the type-dependent memory entry, other memory entries can also be made. For example. a mileage-dependent storage entry could be made, wherein the mileage-dependent storage entry is entered as a function of the mileage when determining the time duration, ie at the corresponding switch-on.

If a switch-on process is started and the duration of this is determined, the current mileage is also recorded. The control unit transmits, in addition to the time duration-dependent memory signal, a kilometer-reading-dependent memory signal to the memory unit, and the memory unit then makes a mileage-dependent memory entry. The mileage-dependent storage entry may be, for example, the currently determined mileage of the vehicle.

Advantageously, analogously to the different counting units and the types of memory fields, more several odometer memory fields can also be provided. The mileage memory field in which the current value is to be entered is again specified by the determined time duration. Advantageously, the mileage-dependent memory entry is entered in a predetermined first mileage memory field if the determined time duration is not greater than a predefined first time duration limit value. If the determined time duration is greater than the predetermined first time duration limit value and not greater than a predetermined second time duration limit value, the mileage-dependent memory entry is entered in a predetermined second mileage memory field. If the determined time duration is greater than the predetermined second time duration limit value, the mileage-dependent memory entry is entered in a predefined third mileage memory field. The mileage memory fields can be stored in such a way builds that they can store a given number of previous type-dependent memory entries.

If the determined duration of the switch-on process is greater than a predetermined first time duration limit value, d. H. the switch-on has lasted longer than expected in this type of starting process, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in addition, the cause can be determined. This cause serves the workshop personnel as working basis. The control unit then sends together with the determined time duration a cause-dependent memory signal to the memory unit, which then makes a corresponding cause-dependent memory entry. In this case, the cause-dependent memory signal and / or the cause-dependent memory entry may be configured as a so-called bitword having a predetermined length, wherein the length of the bitword may be predetermined by the number of ascertainable causes. If a cause is detected, the value of the bit associated with that cause is set to one, otherwise it remains zero.

Alternatively, the cause-dependent memory entry can also be configured such that when a specific cause occurs, a cause counting unit assigned to this cause is increased by the value 1. As a result, it can be determined later which causes are particularly responsible for a longer switch-on.

Advantageously, analogous to the various counting units, the type memory fields and the mileage memory fields, a plurality of cause memory fields can also be provided. Here, the root cause Speicherfel ^'d in which the current value is to be registered, in turn, dictated by the determined time duration. Thus, the cause-dependent memory entry is entered in a predetermined second cause memory field if the determined time duration is greater than a predetermined first memory field. ter duration limit and not greater than a predetermined second time duration limit. If the determined time duration is greater than the predetermined second time duration limit value, the cause-dependent memory entry is entered in a predetermined third cause memory field. The cause memory fields can be constructed in such a way that they can store a predefined number of preceding cause-dependent memory entries.

If, in addition to the time duration-dependent memory entry, several other memory entries are made which are entered into different memory fields as a function of the time duration, the limit values for determining the respective memory fields are ideally set identically for all memory entries.

The causes that can lead to a prolonged switch-on can be a variety of causes. Accordingly, the cause-dependent memory entry may, for example, depend on the following (ascertainable) causes, which occur individually or in combination and may be the cause of a delayed start:

(a) the current ambient / outdoor temperature is less than a predetermined minimum temperature value or greater than a predetermined maximum temperature value,

(b) There is a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the fuel system,

(c) there is a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the fuel supply system, (d) There is a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the high pressure pump system,

(e) the current tank content is less than a given minimum tank content,

(f) there is a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the starter / starter system,

(g) There is a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the battery system,

(h) The state of charge of the battery is less than a predetermined minimum state of charge, or the battery is damaged or aged. (i) There is a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the crankshaft synchronization system in front,

(j) There is a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the camshaft synchronization system,

(k) There is a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault, in the system of the (electronic) immobilizer or anti-theft system, this anti-theft function also being incorporated in other (electronic) control units in a system network with said (electronic) control unit. Such a system network is characterized by a possible communication of the (electronic) control units with each other.

(I) There is a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the system of the vehicle access system whose (electronic) control unit is capable of starting the vehicle engine on / at the customer's request initiate. This function of starting can also be contained in other (electronic) control units, which are in a system network with said (electronic) control unit. It may also contain other (electronic) control units, which are in a system network with said (electronic) control unit. Such a system network is characterized by a possible communication of the (electronic) control units with each other. (m) The current ambient / external pressure of the air is less than a predetermined minimum pressure value or greater than a predetermined maximum pressure value. (n) There is an error in the generator communication.

Depending on the size of the storage unit, it makes sense to determine a certain number of causes or to make only certain cause-dependent storage entries.

In order to be able to access the memory entries, the invention additionally comprises, in addition to the control unit, a read-out device which can be connected to the memory unit and which is constructed in such a way that the memory entries entered in the memory unit can be read out and possibly evaluated.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. It shows the

1 shows a simplified control unit according to the invention for controlling a switch-on of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, Fig. 2 shows an exemplary structure of a memory unit and Fig. 3 shows an exemplary display of a readout device. 1 shows a control unit SE for controlling a switch-on operation of a vehicle engine (not shown here and designed as an internal combustion engine) in a motor vehicle. In the control unit SE, various input signals s1, s2 and s3 are evaluated with regard to the detection of a switch-on request. Based on the current input signals s1, s2 and s3 can be determined whether a manual start m or an automatic start a is present. A manual start m is understood as meaning such a switch-on process which is activated by the driver, for example, by actuating a corresponding start operating element or by turning a vehicle key in the ignition lock. In contrast, an automatic start a is understood to mean such a switching-on operation, which is activated, for example, within the scope of an automatic start function of a so-called start-stop device for automatically starting the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is at a standstill.

If the conditions for a manual start m are met, a first evaluation logic M sends out a one "1", otherwise a zero "0". When a one "1" is emitted by the first evaluation logic M, this is detected in the downstream first agreement unit, and then a first switch-on signal Starti is sent out for implementing corresponding switch-on measures for switching on the internal combustion engine At the same time, a timer T for determining the duration t of a successful start is started, ie T +, In addition, the first agreement unit & sends a first type-dependent memory signal St1 to a memory unit SP on a determined manual switch-on request in which the first type-dependent memory signal St1 contains the information that this is a manually requested switch-on process. If the conditions for an automatic start a are met, the second evaluation logic A transmits a one "1" analogously to the first evaluation unit M, otherwise a zero "0". When a one "1" is emitted by the second evaluation logic A, this is detected in the downstream second agreement unit, and then a second switch-on signal Start2 is emitted for implementing corresponding switch-on measures for switching on the internal combustion engine At the same time, the timer T for determining the t of a successful start is also started, ie T + In addition, the second agreement unit & sends a second type-dependent memory signal St2 to the memory unit SP on a determined automatic switch-on request wherein the second type-dependent memory signal St2 includes the information that it is an automatically requested switch-on.

As soon as a switch-on signal Starti or Start2 has been sent out to implement corresponding switch-on measures for switching on the internal combustion engine, at least the rotational speed DZ of the internal combustion engine is monitored in a success logic eS and a successful start is detected when the rotational speed DZ has reached a predetermined idling speed limit value. The success logic eS then sends out a one "1", which is recognized in a downstream third correspondence unit E. As soon as a successful start is detected, the timer T for determining the duration t of this switch-on process is stopped, ie T- and the determined time duration At the same time, a kilometer-dependent memory signal km is sent to the storage unit with the determined time duration t, this signal containing information about the currently available mileage KM. At the same time, the determined time duration t is compared with a predetermined first time limit value TG 1. The first time duration limit value TG 1 is predetermined in such a way that it roughly reproduces an upper time duration limit value for a switch-off operation which functions properly fast. This can be, for example, in the range of 500ms to 1000ms. The first time duration limit value can also be preset differently depending on the determined type of start request. If the determined time duration t is not less than the first time duration limit value TG 1, a cause determination logic U1 is started in which the possible causes for the extended startup process are determined. Within this cause-determination logic U1, predefined causes can be checked.

After completion of the cause search, the cause determination logic U1 transmits a cause-dependent memory signal U to the memory unit. This cause-dependent memory signal can be constructed, for example, as a bit word, each bit being assigned a cause. If a specific cause for the too long switch-on process is determined, the bit assigned to this cause is assigned the value one - otherwise the value of this bit remains zero.

The memory unit SP can now make corresponding memory entries as a function of the transmitted memory signals St1 or St2, km and U and the transmitted time period t. An exemplary structure of a memory unit SP with corresponding memory entries is shown in FIG.

The memory unit SP is divided into several memory fields SPF. For ease of reading each memory field SPF is associated with an information field IF, which is not present in the memory unit SP, but only serves to understand. As already explained in FIG. 1, the control unit SE transmits a time-duration-dependent memory signal upon each successful switch-on process, here the time duration t itself to the memory unit SP. This memory unit SP then takes a dependent of this signal memory entry in the first memory array of the line 1 before here the determined time duration t. From Fig. 2 it can be seen that in this example the last power-up has taken 1530ms.

In addition, in the memory unit, the number of turn-on operations that are within a predetermined time interval is stored in corresponding counting units. In this case, a separate counting unit is provided for each predetermined time interval. The counting unit is located in the memory unit in FIG. 2 in lines 2, 9 and 16. The third counting unit (line 2) stores the number of starts or switch-on operations whose time duration t is greater than a predetermined second time duration limit value TG2. The predetermined second time duration limit value can be specified, for example, in the order of 4000 ms. According to FIG. 2, 523 such time periods have already been determined. The second counting unit (line 9) stores the number of starts whose duration t is greater than a predetermined first duration limit value TG 1 and not greater than the predetermined second time duration limit value TG2. The predetermined first time duration limit value can be specified, for example, in the order of 1000 ms. According to FIG. 2, 1232 such periods have already been determined. The first counting unit (line 16) stores the number of starts whose duration t is not greater than a predetermined first time limit value TG1. According to FIG. 2, already 78,000 such time periods have been determined.

Furthermore, the memory unit comprises odometer reading memory fields in lines 3, 10, 17 and downstream mileage memory fields 6, 13, and 19 in which mileage-dependent memory entries are made become. In which mileage memory field the mileage-dependent memory entry is made depends on the determined t of the corresponding switch-on.

The mileage-dependent memory entry is made in a third mileage memory field (line 3) if the determined time period t of this switch-on process is greater than a predefined second time duration limit value TG2. At the same time, the last mileage-dependent memory entry entered here is moved to the downstream mileage memory field in line 6, in which the relevant mileage of the penultimate switch-on process is stored with a t within this time interval. According to FIG. 2, the mileage at the last switch-on process within this time interval was 20100 km, cf. Line 3, and at the penultimate startup within this time interval 16543km, cf. Line 6.

The mileage-dependent storage entry is made in a second mileage memory field (line 10) if the determined time period t of this switch-on is greater than a predetermined first time limit value TG 1 and not greater than the predetermined second time duration limit value TG2. At the same time, the last mileage-dependent storage entry entered here is moved to the downstream mileage memory field in line 13, in which the relevant mileage of the penultimate switch-on process with a time duration t is stored within this time interval. According to FIG. 2, the mileage at the last switch-on operation within this time interval was 3122 km, cf. Line 10, and at the penultimate startup within this time interval 3120km, cf. Line 13.

The mileage-dependent memory entry is made in a first mileage memory field (line 17) if the determined time duration t of this switch-on process does not exceed the predetermined first time period. limit is TG 1. At the same time, the last mileage-dependent memory entry entered here is moved to the downstream odometer memory field in line 19, in which the relevant mileage of the penultimate switch-on process with a time t within this time interval is stored. According to FIG. 2, the mileage at the last switch-on operation within this time interval was 22134 km, cf. Line 17, and at the penultimate startup within this time interval 22133km, cf. Line 19.

Further, the memory unit comprises species memory fields in lines 4, 11 and 18 and downstream type memory fields in lines 7, 14 and 20, in which the species-dependent memory entries are made. The type-dependent memory entries are those entries which provide information as to whether the switch-on process was requested manually or automatically. In which type memory field the type-dependent memory entry is made depends on the determined time duration t of the corresponding switch-on process. The type-dependent memory entry is made in a third type memory field (line 4) if the determined time duration t of this switch-on process is greater than a predefined second time duration limit value TG2. At the same time, the type-dependent memory entry last entered here is moved to the downstream type memory field in line 7, in which the relevant data regarding the type of power-up operation of the penultimate power-on is stored with a time t within this time interval. According to FIG. 2, the last switch-on process within this time interval was a normal start, ie a manually requested start, cf. Line 4. In the penultimate start operation with a time duration t that was greater than the predetermined second time limit value TG2, it was a quick start, ie an automatically requested start, cf. Line 7. The type-dependent memory entry is made in a second type memory field (line 11) if the determined time period t of this switch-on is greater than a predetermined first time limit value TG1 and not greater than the predetermined second time duration limit value TG2. At the same time, the type-dependent memory entry last entered here is moved to the downstream type memory field in line 14 in which the relevant data relating to the type of power-up operation of the penultimate power-on is stored within this time interval. According to FIG. 2, the last switch-on process within this time interval was a quick start, cf. Line 11 and in the penultimate startup within this time interval also to a quick start, see. Line 14.

The type-dependent memory entry is made in a first type memory field (line 18) if the determined time duration t of this switch-on process is not greater than the predetermined first time limit value TG1, ie a start having an expected time duration t is present. At the same time, the species-dependent memory entry last entered here is moved to the downstream type memory field in line 20, in which the relevant data relating to the type of power-up operation of the next-to-last power-on is stored within this time interval. According to FIG. 2, the last switch-on process within this time interval was a quick start, cf. Line 18 and in the penultimate startup within this time interval also to a quick start, cf. Line 20.

Further, the memory unit SP comprises cause memory fields in lines 5 and 12 and subordinate cause memory fields in lines 8 and 15 in which cause-dependent memory entries are made to deposit the information why the corresponding boot process took longer than expected. Since this information is only available when is relevant for switching operations in which the determined time period t of the switch-on process is longer than expected, no cause memory fields are provided for the time interval from 0 to the predetermined first time limit value TG 1. In which cause memory field the cause-dependent memory entry constructed as a bit word depends on the determined time duration t of the corresponding switch-on process.

The cause-dependent memory entry is made in a third cause memory field (line 5) if the determined time duration t of this switch-on process is greater than a predefined second time duration limit value TG2. At the same time, the cause-dependent memory entry entered last here is moved to the downstream cause memory field in line 8, in which the information about the causes of the penultimate switch-on process with a time duration t is stored within this time interval. According to FIG. 2, there was a cause associated with the third bit of this bit word, cf. Line 5, and at the penultimate startup within this time interval, a cause associated with the first bit of this bitword, cf. Line 8.

The cause-dependent memory entry is made in a second cause memory field (line 12) if the determined time duration t of this switch-on process is greater than a predefined first time limit value TG1 and not greater than the predetermined second time duration limit value TG2. At the same time, the cause-dependent memory entry entered last here is moved to the downstream cause memory field in line 15 in which the information about the causes of the penultimate switch-on process with a time duration t is stored within this time interval. According to FIG. 2, in both cases there was a cause associated with the first bit of this bit word, cf. Line 12 and 15. This structure of the memory unit SP according to FIG. 2 represents only one of many possibilities for how a memory unit can be expanded. For example, it is also possible to store a plurality of previous switch-on processes within a time interval and their relevant information in a suitably constructed ring buffer. Similarly, the information on the switch-on, whose time t within the expected time, could be omitted.

In order to read this information, a read-out device must be provided which can read out the various memory fields of the memory unit in a suitable form. The reading device can, for example, be constructed in such a way that the person operating the reading device can select in advance which information he wishes to have displayed.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary display of a readout device AG. Here, all relevant or stored information for the last switch-on process is displayed whose time duration t was greater than the predetermined second time duration limit value TG2. Thus, the mileage km and the type of last power-on with the very long time t is displayed. It also indicates which causes have been identified. Thus, the person operating the reading device AG can recognize very quickly that the last switch-on process with a time t greater than the second time limit TG2 at a mileage of 20100 km was, this was a normal start, and as a possible cause determines the cause 3 has been.

Based on this display, it is now possible to examine the vehicle with regard to the cause 3 and, if necessary, to solve problems that could lead to this cause. A repair of the vehicle can thus be made much easier and faster.

Claims

Start time storage for motor vehicles patent claims

A control unit for controlling a switch-on operation of a vehicle engine in a motor vehicle, wherein the control unit emits a switch-on request to make appropriate Einschaltmaßnahmen to turn on the vehicle engine, and the control unit sends a memory signal for storing at least one memory entry to a memory unit, if predetermined conditions met are, characterized in that the control unit (SE) determines a period of time (t) from the start of the switch-on until a successful start operation and depending on the determined time duration (t) a time-duration-dependent memory signal (t) to the memory unit (SP) sends and the memory unit (SP) performs a time-dependent storage entry (lines 1, 2, 9, 16).

2. Control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the time duration-dependent memory entry (line 1) is a measure of the determined time duration (t).

3. Control unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the time-duration-dependent memory signal (t) is only transmitted, and / or the duration-dependent memory entry (line 1, 2, 9, 16) is only made if the determined Time duration (t) exceeds a predetermined first time limit (TG1).

4. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory unit (SP) on the time duration-dependent memory signal (t) increases the value of an existing first counting unit (line 16) by one, if the determined time duration (t) is not greater than one predetermined first time limit (TG 1).

5. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory unit (SP) on the time duration-dependent memory signal (t) increases the value of an existing second counting unit (line 9) by one, if the determined time duration (t) greater than a predetermined first time limit (TG1) and not greater than a predetermined second time limit (ZG2).

6. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory unit (SP) on the time duration-dependent memory signal (t) increases the value of an existing third counting unit (line 2) by one, if the determined time duration (t) greater than a predetermined second time limit (TG2).

7. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle drive value in at least two different ways (m, a) can be started and the control unit (SE) additionally sends a species-dependent memory signal (St1, St2) to the memory unit (SP) and the memory unit (SP) makes a type-dependent memory entry (St1, St2).

8. Control unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the species-dependent memory entry (St1, St2) in a predetermined type memory array (SPF, line 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 20) is entered, wherein the species memory array ( SPF, lines 4, 6, 11, 14, 18, 20), in which the species-dependent memory entry (St1, St2) is entered, is predefined as a function of the determined time duration (t).

9. Control unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the species-dependent memory entry (St1, St2) in a predetermined first type memory array (SPF, line 18) is entered if the determined time period (t) is not greater than a predetermined first Time limit (TG 1) is.

10. Control unit according to one of claims 7 - 9, characterized in that the species-dependent memory entry (St1, St2) in a predetermined second type memory array (SPF, line 11) is entered, if the determined time period (t) is greater than a predetermined first time limit (TG1) and not greater than a predetermined second time limit (TG2).

11. Control unit according to one of claims 7 - 10, characterized in that the species-dependent memory entry (St1, ST2) is entered in a predetermined third type memory array (SPF, line 4) when the determined time period (t) is greater than a predetermined second time limit (TG2).

12. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (SE) additionally transmits a kilometer-reading-dependent memory signal (km) to the memory unit (SP) and the memory unit (SP) carries out a mileage-dependent memory entry (km).

13. Control unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the mileage-dependent storage entry (km) is entered in a predetermined mileage storage field (SPF, lines 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 19), the mileage storage field (SPF, Line 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 19), in which the mileage-dependent memory entry (km) is entered, as a function of the determined time duration (t) is specified.

14. Control unit according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the mileage-dependent memory entry (km) in a predetermined first mileage memory field (SPF, line 17) is entered, if the determined time duration (t) is not greater than a predetermined first time duration limit ( TG 1).

15. Control unit according to one of claims 12 - 14, characterized in that the mileage-dependent storage entry (KM) in a predetermined second kilometer storage field (SPF, line 10) is entered if the determined time period (t) is greater than a predetermined first time duration limit (TG 1) and is not greater than a predetermined second time duration limit (TG2).

16. Control unit according to one of claims 12 - 15, characterized in that the mileage-dependent memory entry (km) in a predetermined third kilometer memory field (SPF, line 3) is entered if the determined time period (t) is greater than a predetermined second time duration limit (TG2) is.

17. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (SE) at a determined time duration (t) which is greater than a predetermined first time limit (TG1), in addition a cause-dependent memory signal (U) to the memory unit (SP ) and the Memory unit (SP) makes a cause-dependent memory entry (U).

18. Control unit according to claim 17, characterized in that the cause-dependent memory entry (U) in a predetermined cause memory field (SPF, line 5, 8, 12, 15) is entered, wherein the cause memory field (SPF, line 5, 8 , 12, 15), in which the cause-dependent memory entry (U) is entered, is specified as a function of the determined time duration (t).

19. A control unit according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the cause-dependent memory entry (U) in a predetermined second cause memory field (SPF, line 12) is entered if the determined time duration (t) is greater than a predetermined first time duration limit (TG1 ) and is not greater than a predetermined second time limit (TG2).

20. Control unit according to one of claims 17 - 19, characterized in that the cause-dependent memory entry (U) in a predetermined third cause memory field (SPF, line 5) is entered if the determined time duration (t) is greater than a predetermined second time duration limit (TG2) is.

21. Control unit according to one of claims 17-20, characterized in that the cause-dependent storage unit (U) depends on at least one of the following causes:

(b) mechanical or electrical failure, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the fuel system, (c) mechanical or electrical failure, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the fuel delivery system,

(d) mechanical or electrical failure, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the high pressure pump system,

(e) Tank contents less than a predetermined minimum tank content,

(f) mechanical or electrical failure, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the starter / starting system,

(g) mechanical or electrical failure, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the battery system,

(h) the battery is less than a predetermined minimum state of charge, or the battery is damaged or the battery has aged,

(i) mechanical or electrical failure, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the crankshaft synchronization system,

(j) mechanical or electrical failure, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault in the camshaft synchronization system;

(k) a mechanical or electrical fault, or even a combination of a mechanical and an electrical fault, in the immobilizer or anti-theft system;

(I) Mechanical or electrical failure, or even a combination of mechanical and electrical failure in a vehicle access system, (m) current ambient / external pressure of the air is less than a predetermined minimum pressure value or greater than a predetermined maximum pressure value,

(n) Error in the generator communication.

22. reading device (AG) for reading memory entries (t, St1, St2, km, U) of a memory unit (SP), characterized in that the memory entries (t, St1, St2, km, U) duration-dependent memory entries (t) and / or type-dependent memory entries (St1, St2) and / or mileage-dependent memory entries (km) and / or cause-dependent memory entries (U) b according to any one of the preceding claims.